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For Your Valentine's Day Flame: Torch-Topped Chocolate Cupcakes

Chocolate cupcakes with strawberry toppings.

It's early afternoon, Valentine's Day, which means today's the day to show a little loving. So, if you've got someone special and you're fresh out of ideas, not to worry, there's still time.

Here's the plan: skip out of work early, pick up a turkey baster, some vodka, a box of matches and cupcake ingredients, and get baking. Sprinkle Bakes' recipe for chocolate cupcakes with flaming strawberries is deceptively easy, considering it looks like molecular gastronomy masterpiece.

Flaming cupcake with chocolate frosting and a strawberry on top

Click through to print the recipe, but here's a quick rundown of how it works: make chocolate cupcakes (easy), hollow out some strawberry toppers, add vodka, rum, or your choice of liquor 80 proof or higher ("over-proof such as 110 will give you a yellow flame"), and set on fire! As previously mentioned, a turkey baster will help you fill your toppers quickly.

More Valentine's Day projects:

Apple's iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 updates are packed with new features, and you can try them before almost everyone else. First, check Gadget Hacks' list of supported iPhone and iPad models, then follow the step-by-step guide to install the iOS/iPadOS 26 beta — no paid developer account required.